JUNCTURE Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'juncture' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of juncture are contingency , crisis , emergency , exigency , pinch , straits , and strait . While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events. // an important juncture in our country's history

Q: In what contexts can 'contingency' take the place of 'juncture'?

While the synonyms contingency and juncture are close in meaning, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence. // contingency plans

Q: Where would 'crisis' be a reasonable alternative to 'juncture'?

Although the words crisis and juncture have much in common, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference. // a crisis of confidence

Q: When might 'emergency' be a better fit than 'juncture'?

The words emergency and juncture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster. // the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

Q: When would 'exigency' be a good substitute for 'juncture'?

While in some cases nearly identical to juncture , exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation. // provide for exigencies

Q: How does the word 'pinch' relate to other synonyms for 'juncture'?

Pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency . // come through in a pinch

Q: How are the words 'strait' and 'straits' related as synonyms of 'juncture'?

Strait , now commonly straits , applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult. // in dire straits

juncture

noun

ˈjəŋ(k)-chər

Definition of juncture

as in point

a particular and often important moment in time at the present juncture, I think the country is looking for a strong president

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in junction

a place where two or more things are united the water is leaking at the juncture of those two pipes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action we have now arrived at a juncture where something must be done to avert war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun juncture differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of juncture are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

In what contexts can contingency take the place of juncture?

While the synonyms contingency and juncture are close in meaning, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

Where would crisis be a reasonable alternative to juncture?

Although the words crisis and juncture have much in common, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When might emergency be a better fit than juncture?

The words emergency and juncture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When would exigency be a good substitute for juncture?

While in some cases nearly identical to juncture, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

How does the word pinch relate to other synonyms for juncture?

Pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

How are the words strait and straits related as synonyms of juncture?

Strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of juncture At this juncture, barring a dramatic change in the ownership situation, the likelihood is that Rockingham won’t have a NASCAR national series race next year. — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 30 July 2026 The takeover offer puts pressure on a business facing a critical juncture. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 Crucially, Bush struggled to coordinate with senior officials in Washington, leaving him momentarily out of the loop at a terrifying historical juncture. — Peter Kastor, Fortune, 27 July 2026 Despite these challenges, Wong still represented a critical juncture for immigrants, in particular for those of Asian American descent. — Claire Ke, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for juncture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture

Noun

With that as the starting point, and the premise now fully in motion, season two hits the ground running with the wind of absurdity at its back.

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
One big sticking point may be the stigma attached to hearing aids.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of point

Noun

Concrete is important again here, dictating the lack of material variation throughout the museum, the uniform thickness of the gallery walls, and the minimal slots of light at the junctions of many walls and ceilings.

— Katy Barkan, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
The measurements showed that internal dendrites formed at defects such as pores and grain-boundary junctions.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of junction

Noun

The climate crisis is making certain types of extreme weather events both more frequent and more severe.

— Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
State health authorities who have been fighting the opioid crisis for decades are still surprised by the drop, said Evan Gumas, a senior research associate at the Commonwealth Fund.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of crisis

Noun

There’s also been lots of moments to dress up for too, with megawatt tours from Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, and Zara Larsson; maximalist pop stars with fans eager to follow their lead in sequins and ties, hibiscus flowers in hair.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
First, Mary Carillo, the former player and trailblazing broadcaster and journalist, had her moment.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of moment

Noun

Robert and Mary Murray lived out in the country, north of British New York, at the future intersection of 37th and Park, atop an actual hill.

— Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
Near the intersection of Olive Street and East Sixth Street in Kansas City’s Historic Northeast sits Nelson’s home, which has been in the family for generations.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of intersection

Noun

The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of head

Noun

The Samuels’ run, however, was the spark that lit the fuse after the Caravan was denied on a fourth-and-short situation on its opening possession.

— Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, Fed policy uncertainty, the Middle East situation, and an earnings season burdened with high expectations could all act as catalysts for fresh turbulence.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of situation

Noun

Points were awarded for eyes, nose, mouth, facial expression, hair, torso, extremities, and overall gracefulness.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
That allows doctors to evaluate a person’s balance, mobility and lower extremity strength all at once.

— Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremity

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junctions

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“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of juncture

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